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Back Copper Chain Save as PDF
Chapters (62)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. CONTENTS
  5. MAP
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 8
  14. 9
  15. 10
  16. 11
  17. 12
  18. 13
  19. 14
  20. 15
  21. 16
  22. 17
  23. 18
  24. 19
  25. 20
  26. 21
  27. 22
  28. 23
  29. 24
  30. 25
  31. 26
  32. 27
  33. 28
  34. 29
  35. 30
  36. 31
  37. 32
  38. 33
  39. 34
  40. 35
  41. 36
  42. 37
  43. 38
  44. 39
  45. 40
  46. 41
  47. 42
  48. 43
  49. 44
  50. 45
  51. 46
  52. 47
  53. 48
  54. 49
  55. 50
  56. 51
  57. 52
  58. 53
  59. 54
  60. 55
  61. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  62. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

‘Sorceress,’ Palemon said. ‘Malakai is just an outpost. Yes, it was the nearest city to Aleuthea, but it pales in comparison to the glory of our ancient homeland. Think of all we might discover. I am certain we would find more chains, but Archmagus Nisos built many artifacts. We might even find this arch.’

‘Arch?’ Kyphos asked.

‘There is a message,’ Palemon said, ‘written on the wall of the chamber below the Sky Tower. The Arch of Nisos . . . Something to do with dragons.’ He shrugged. ‘That is all we know.’

‘It would be dangerous,’ Zara said.

‘But how?’ Kyphos raised an eyebrow. ‘Tell me, sorceress: how do you intend to expose the city?’

‘Wind,’ Zara said. ‘I believe it’s possible.’ She turned back to the king. ‘I’m surprised I didn’t think of it myself.’

‘We have bought some time, by destroying the barges,’ Palemon said. ‘But soon Kargan of Ilea will be leading a fleet to our shores. Work on this problem. You will have my full support. Whatever you need: gold, silver, copper, or iron. Slaves. Anything. The Ileans will be back. Kyphos will help you in any way you require.’

39

39

Chloe put her head to the window and looked out, once again gazing at the tall, circular Sky Tower. It was early morning and the rose-colored rays of the rising sun glowed on its stone exterior.

Dragons, flying out in the night. Something told her the old market vendor hadn’t just been telling tales.

‘So what now?’ Liana asked.

‘Now, we learn what we can about the city. Dion is important, and if he or Isobel are here, someone will know about it. We—’

Chloe was interrupted by the sound of gentle knocking on the door.

‘Ladies?’ It was Madam Tomkin’s voice. ‘I’ve brought you tea.’

Chloe swiftly crossed the room to stand beside the door. ‘Thank you, Madam Tomkin, but we don’t want anything.’ She glanced at Liana, checking that the eldran had her necklace on.

‘The cups are hot,’ Madam Tomkin said, her voice quavering. ‘Can’t you open the door?’

Chloe was about to reply when the door burst inward, throwing her against the wall. Soldiers clad in chain armor rushed into the chamber. Sent sprawling, she fell to her knees.

‘Nobody move!’

Strangely accented voices barked commands. Liana cried out, and Chloe saw a bearded soldier pressing her friend’s face down onto her bed. The soldier lifted something – an iron collar – and fitted the circle of black metal around Liana’s neck as she struggled against his grip.

Another soldier loomed over Chloe, glaring down at her, daring her to move. She tried to stand, but he pressed on her shoulders, shaking his head.

A short man in a gray robe entered.